Page 7 of Shameless Royalty

The two of them take the seats next to me, and I feel Nikolai’s hesitation before he finally settles in. My father’s gaze sweeps over us, the weight of it pressing down on the room.

“We’ve found them,” he says without preamble.

I sit up straighter, the tension in my chest sharpening. “What? Where?”

Da doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turns his laptop around, the screen facing the three of us. My stomach sinks as I see a map, the blinking red dot unmistakable.

“Germany,” Da says. “This is where they’re being held.”

The relief I feel at finally having a location is instantly overshadowed by confusion. “How the hell do you know that?”

He leans back in his chair. “When Cat started at Willow Bridge, I had a tracking device implanted in her. It’s behind her neck.”

I bristle at the news. “Youwhat?”

Da’s eyes flick to mine, a warning in them. “It was a precaution and for her safety. I don’t regret it.”

My jaw clenches so hard it hurts, but I don’t say anything more. Not here. Not in front of them. But the anger simmers, hot and heavy in my chest. Catriona is my sister, not some bloody asset to be tagged and tracked like a piece of equipment.

Da doesn’t seem phased by my reaction. He’s already moved on, his finger tracing the red dot on the screen. “The building is heavily secured. There are guards stationed at all points, but we have a layout of the interior.”

He clicks a button, and the map shifts to show a blueprint of what looks like an old factory. My stomach tightens at the sight of it.

“You’ll leave tonight,” Da continues. “It’ll be the three of you, plus a team I’ve already arranged. I expect this to be quick and clean. No mistakes.”

“Yes, sir,” Nikolai says immediately, his tone respectful. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him glancing at me, but I don’t return the look.

Konstantin leans forward, his gaze fixed on the blueprint. “How many guards?”

“At least a dozen on-site,” Da replies. “Possibly more.”

Konstantin nods, his expression calculating. “Do we have an extraction plan?”

“It’s already in place,” Da says. “The team will handle it once you’ve secured the girls.”

I sit back in my chair, my fists clenching and unclenching as they talk logistics. The plan, the guards, the extraction—none of it makes me feel any better. The thought of Cat being tracked without her knowledge still burns, but there’s no point in bringing it up now. Not with so much at stake.

“Connor.”

I meet his eyes. “Aye.”

“You’re leadin’ this,” he says. “Keep your head. Don’t let your anger cloud your judgment.”

I nod, though the words sting. “I won’t.”

His gaze lingers on me for a moment, like he’s weighing my silence, but he doesn’t press. “Good. Then get ready. You leave in four hours.”

Nikolai and Konstantin stand, both nodding to Da before heading for the door. I follow, but Da’s voice stops me before I can leave.

“Connor, stay a moment.”

I freeze, my jaw tightening. Nikolai and Konstantin exchange a glance before stepping out of the room, the door clicking shut behind them.

I turn back to him, my arms crossing over my chest. “What?”

He walks around the desk and stops in front of me. “Say what you’re holdin’ back.”

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. “Where do I start? The implant? The fact you didn’t tell me? Or the part where Nikolai’s sitting in this house like he belongs here?”

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